Call (801) 968-9003 or request an appointment. A first visit includes a full exam, X-rays and usually a cleaning, and we check your insurance before you arrive.
Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
The chewing surfaces of molars have deep grooves that a toothbrush bristle cannot reach the bottom of. Sealants fill them.A sealant is a thin layer of resin flowed into those grooves and hardened. Food and plaque slide off instead of lodging, and the enamel underneath stays cavity-free. Sealed molars have far fewer cavities than unsealed ones, which is why they are recommended for every child.
Who
Kids first, but adults too.
The best time is right after the permanent molars come in: around age six for the first molars and age twelve for the second.Adults with deep grooves and no fillings in their molars benefit too. Sealants are a good choice for anyone who gets cavities easily or has trouble reaching their back teeth.
The visit
Painless and quick.
No numbing, no drilling. The whole thing takes a few minutes per tooth and is usually done at a cleaning visit.The tooth is cleaned and dried, a gel roughens the surface for a few seconds and is rinsed away, and the sealant is painted on and set with a light. Your child can eat right away.
Durability
How long sealants last.
Sealants hold up for several years and are checked at every exam. If one chips or wears, it is simply touched up.Sealants protect the chewing surface only, so brushing, flossing and fluoride still matter for the sides of the teeth.
Where to nextRelated careSealants are part of a prevention routine.
Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Questions patients ask
Sealant questions
Are sealants safe?Yes. Sealants have been used for decades and are recommended by the American Dental Association and the CDC for school-age children.Does insurance cover sealants?Most plans cover sealants for children up to a certain age, often in full. Adult coverage varies, and the cost without insurance is small.Can a sealed tooth still get a cavity?The sealed grooves are protected as long as the sealant is intact. The sides of the tooth can still decay, so brushing and flossing continue as usual.
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
